Calathea plant named ‘HGV03’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Calathea  plant named ‘HGV03’ that is characterized by variegated leaves on the upper side that are dark green with a light green midrib and double light green circles along the margin and light green spots. The lower side of the leaves are dark red-purple.

Botanical Classification: Calathea rosea-picta.

Variety Denomination: ‘HGV03’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calatheaplant botanically known as Calathea rosea-picta and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name ‘HGV03’.

The new cultivar was discovered as a single plant by the inventor in acultivated area of Roosendaal, The Netherlands in October of 2004.‘HGV03’ was discovered as a naturally occurring whole plant mutationwithin a population of unnamed Calathea rosea-picta plants in agreenhouse environment.

Asexual reproduction by division of the new cultivar ‘HGV03’ was firstperformed in February of 2005 in Roosendaal, The Netherlands. Since thattime, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the newcultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newCalathea cultivar ‘HGV03’.

-   -   1. Calathea ‘HGV03’ exhibits variegated leaves on the upper side        that are mainly dark green with a light green midrib and double        light green circles along the margin and light green spots.    -   2. Calathea ‘HGV03’ exhibits leaves that are dark red-purple on        the lower side.

The closest comparison cultivar is Calathea rosea-picta ‘Illustris’. Thenew cultivar ‘HGV03’ is distinguishable from ‘Illustris’ by thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘HGV03’ has leaves with smaller light green spots on the        upper side.    -   2. ‘HBV03’ has darker colored leaves.    -   3. ‘HBV03’ has leaves with double light green circles along the        margin of the upper side. The leaves of ‘Illustris’ have only a        single light green circle.

The new cultivar ‘HGV03’ is distinguishable from the parent plant by thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘HGV03’ has leaves with smaller light green spots on the        upper side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofCalathea ‘HGV03’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a30 week old plant. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Calathea cultivarnamed ‘HGV03’. Data was collected in Maasland, The Netherlands from 30week old greenhouse grown plants in 13 cm containers. The time of yearwas Winter and the average temperature was 21 degrees Centigrade duringthe day and 20 degrees Centigrade at night. No photoperiodic treatmentsor growth retardants were used. Color determinations are in accordancewith the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘HGV03’ has notbeen tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences maybe observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Calathea ‘HGV03’.-   Use: Ornamental.-   Parentage: ‘HGV03’ is a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of    an unknown Calathea rosea-picta cultivar.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Moderate to slow.-   Growth habit: Moderately branching from base.-   Plant shape: Flattened globose.-   Suitable container size: 13 cm diameter container.-   Height: Average 23.4 cm in height.-   Width: Average 35.2 cm in width.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 10.-   Propagation: Division.-   Number of divisions or clumps per year: 2.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 10 days in the    Summer and Winter.-   Time to produce a young plant: Approximately 90 days in the Summer    and 110 days in the Winter.-   Root system: Thick and fibrous.-   Stem: No stems, leaves grow directly from base; average 5 clumps.-   Foliage:    -   -   Texture.—Both surfaces smooth, glossy and leathery.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate, growing from the base.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Oval to broad oval.        -   Leaf apex.—Short apiculate.        -   Leaf base.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf length.—Average 14.5 cm in length.        -   Leaf width.—10.3 cm in width.        -   Quantity of leaves per clump.—Average 4.        -   Pubescence.—No leaf pubescence.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire, slightly wavy, average 16 waves per            leaf (8 on each side.)        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—Margins 147A, inner margin            146B; secondary inner margin has a ring of blotches that are            150D. Leaf blade 146A, has irregularly variegated areas on            and in between the secondary veins colored in between 150D            and 160D.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—N186C; in areas that are            variegated on the upper side are 59D.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—Margins in between 139A            and 147A, inner margin 143A to 143B; secondary inner margin            has a ring that is 145C. Leaf blade in between 139A and            147A, with irregularly variegated areas on or in between the            secondary veins, colored 144C.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—N186C, in areas that are            variegated on the upper side, 59C to 59D.        -   Vein color (lower surface).—144C to 144D.        -   Vein color (upper surface).—165A.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—Average 13.1 cm in length including            geniculum, 4 mm in distal diameter, 5 mm in proximal            diameter.        -   Petiole aspect.—Rounded, smooth, and glossy.        -   Petiole surface.—Smooth, glossy.        -   Petiole color.—200B, base 183B.        -   Geniculum dimensions.—Average 2.5 cm in length and 4.5 mm in            diameter.        -   Geniculum color.—148A.        -   Wing dimensions.—Average 7.1 cm in length and 7 mm in            diameter.        -   Wing color.—187C.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate to high.-   Flowers: Flowers have not been observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Calathea have not    been observed for disease or insect resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Calathea plant named ‘HGV03’ asdescribed and illustrated.